Elaphoglossum affine (M.Martens & Galeotti) T.Moore, Index Fil.

Kessler, Michael, Moran, Robbin C., Mickel, John T., Matos, Fernando B. & Smith, Alan R., 2018, Prodromus of a fern flora for Bolivia. XXXV. Dryopteridaceae, Phytotaxa 353 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

Elaphoglossum affine (M.Martens & Galeotti) T.Moore, Index Fil. 4. 1857. ( Fig. 1A–C )

Range: —Southern Mexico to Bolivia (CO, LP).

Ecology: —Rare; saxicolous in humid forests and páramo vegetation; 2200–3600 m.

Elaphoglossum ambiguum Mett. ex Christ ex Alston, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 48: 234. 1958. ( Fig. 44F–H ).— Type: VENEZUELA. Aragua: Colonia Tovar. [ca. 10°25’N, 67°17’W] 1854/1856, A. Fendler 283 (lectotype B 20 0069755 [image 264287], here designated, isolectotypes BM, K-000501546, MO-255885, US, YU-000647).

Range: — Costa Rica and Panama; Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia (CO, LP).

Ecology: —Rare; epiphytic in humid forests; (650–) 1000–2250 m.

Notes: —The costal hairs of this species can be difficult to find and costae may appear glabrous, while in E. papyraceum the hairs are tiny, but dense.

The specific epithet ambiguum was first used by Mettenius for Fendler 283 at B; however, he did not publish the name. The name was first used in print by Christ (1899: 60) as an un-numbered name under Elaphoglossum flaccidum . On page 27 of that publication, he stated that un-numbered names are those he did not consider to be valid species, effectively making Acrostichum ambiguum an unpublished name, as also concluded by Rojas-Alvarado (2002). Alston (1958b), however, considered the species to be distinct and provided a combination in Elaphoglossum . Because he did not describe the species, the reference to Christ’s description serves to validate the name. Christ cited four specimens for the species: Fendler 283 (B), Gollmer s.n. (B), Moritz 235 (B), and Pittier 10536. We here designate Fendler 283 in B as the lectotype because it is a complete, fertile specimen with rhizome. Also, it was studied by both Mettenius and Christ, and the Fendler collection is well represented in other herbaria ( Smith & Todzia 1989).

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–C.Elaphoglossum affine (Camp 2683, NY, from Mexico). A. Habit. B, C. Rhizome scales. D–E.Elaphoglossum pteropus (from the protologue of Acrostichum alatum Fée, 1845). D. Habit. E. Sporangium and spores. F–L. Elaphoglossum praetrepidans (Paz et al. 30A, LPB, holotype). F. Habit. G. Crozier petiolar scale. H. Petiolar scale. J. Detail of blade adaxially. K. Detail of blade abaxially. L. Sterile blade scale.

FIGURE 44. A–E. Elaphoglossum andicola (Nuñez C. 81, NY). A. Habit. B. Rhizome scales. C. Venation. D. Abaxial blade detail. E. Trichomidium. F–H. Elaphoglossum ambiguum (Moran 6016, NY, and Moran 5396, MO, from Ecuador). F. Habit. G. Rhizome scale. H. Venation.—Scale bars for habit = 5 cm, all other scale bars = 1 mm.